Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt can reportedly consider moving to Manchester City or Liverpool this summer.
A recent report from Calciomercato.it has offered an update on the future of Matthijs de Ligt. His days at Juventus could be numbered after the club adopted a new financial model that restricts players from being paid over €7.5 million per season. In line with such policy, they have offered the defender a new deal worth the same value.
But de Ligt, who currently earns around €12 million per season at Juventus, has no desire to lower his salary. He is aware of his status as one of the best young defenders in world football and believes he should be playing for a bigger team that can consistently compete for the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United were mooted as one of the potential destinations for de Ligt. The Red Devils, though, are not willing to offer the Dutchman a €12 million-a-year salary as they already have two overpaid defenders in the form of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane. Manchester United are not in a position to award another lucrative contract to a defender, even if Eric Bailly leaves the club, amid interest from Lyon.
Although the report fails to mention the exact clubs that are willing to pay him a €12 million annual salary, de Ligt is certainly open to joining clubs like Manchester City or Liverpool, if the two Premier League giants are willing to meet his wage demands.
Having recently targeted Jose Maria Gimenez, Manchester City have already expressed the desire to sign a new centre-back in the summer, as Pep Guardiola looks to add more competition for Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Ruben Dias in the coming season.
Liverpool, too, might require defensive reinforcements as they look to move on from Ben Davies and Nathaniel Phillips. Their current crop of first-choice centre-backs are into their thirties as well, thus accentuating the need for someone like de Ligt.
Also Read: Manchester United Season Review: What went wrong for the Red Devils in the 2021/22 season?
However, the report suggests Juventus are yet to receive any official bids for the services of the Dutchman. It is likely that de Ligt will spend at least another season in Turin before embarking on a new adventure, at the end of next season.
